July 8 2026 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Call to order:
The regular Randolph City Council meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Mayor Marie Jacob
Roll Call:
Present were Mayor Marie Jacob, Council Members Randy Ferguson and Keith Sande, and Clerk Mary Haro.
Council Member Tony Price and Treasurer Sandy Nicolai were absent.
Also, in attendance was Bolton & Menk engineer, Matt Blazer and legal counsel Greta Bjerkness of Kennedy & Graven.
Approval of Agenda:
We will scratch the old business item of abandoned vehicles and public nuisance action and add approval of septic systems applications from Dakota County to agenda.
Motion to approve the agenda with the deletion and addition was made by Ferguson and seconded by Haro.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Public Comments:
Dakota County Deputy
A deputy discussed the speed trailer request to be as specific as possible of time and day and where to put them. They are in high demand. Don’t leave valuables in parked cars as there has been an increase in thefts. Noted several road closures and to follow the detours.
Prior Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the June 10, 2026 Planning Commission minutes was made by Jacob, seconded by Sande.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
A motion to approve the June 10, 2026 regular council meeting minutes was made by Jacob, seconded by Sande.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
A motion to approve the June 22, 2026 special council meeting minutes was made by Ferguson, seconded by Sande.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Treasurer's Report and Payment of Bills:
Motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Jacob, seconded by Ferguson.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Old Business
City Hall Restrooms
We thought we would have to update/remodel our restrooms because of the planned work to the back of the fire hall but since that is not being done, we are not forced to update them at this time. However, since we had the money set aside to do that work, we should move forward with updating them and install new flooring in the restrooms and kitchen areas. Keith Sande will get more accurate estimates for the work to update everything in the restrooms to make them all ADA compliant.
New Business
Bolton & Menk Planning Services
We received a contract with Bolton & Menk for planning services that they will do for us and Greta had a few changes which Bolton &Menk approved. TJ Hofer will be our contact person. Motion to approve the contract with Bolton & Menk for planning services was made by Jacob, seconded by Haro.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Appointment of Election Judges
Clerk Haro has a list of election judges, that need to be appointed prior to the primary set for August 11th. Motion to appoint the Primary Election Judges for the primary to be held on August 11, 2026 was made by Ferguson, seconded by Jacob.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 3:0. Haro abstained from the vote.
Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota County Regarding Ordinances
Dakota County is asking if we want to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement for our local ordinance enforcement with Dakota County Sheriff’s Office as our current agreement expires December 31, 2026. Motion to approve Resolution 26-08 Authorizing a Joint Powers Agreement Between City and Dakota County Sheriff’s Office for Enforcement of Local Ordinances was made by Ferguson, seconded by Sande.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Write-In Votes for Election
Clerk Haro was approached by Dakota County regarding write-in votes during election. It was noted that they are only tabulated if they exceed the number of votes for non-write-in candidates. We can also pass a resolution that write-in candidates must individually file a request that their votes are tabulated. Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-10 for Counting Write-In Votes for Local Elective Office was made by Ferguson, seconded by Sande.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Transfer of Land to Residents re Vacated Right-of-Way
Thad Laporte came before the council to indicate that when we passed Resolution No. 2024 11 vacating the right-of-way and he indicated that he would receive paperwork and Greta indicated that everything was done according to the statutory procedure and she found that the document was recorded with the abstract records but was not recorded in the Torrens records. So, the document needs to be recorded in as a separate document for Torrens property with the county. She rectified it today so that should take care of all of the steps. She did reach out to the county surveyors office to ask if they will be reflected on GIS to show that lot lines will be reflected correctly. He indicated that they will but it takes about a month or so. He asked if any of the property owners received any paperwork and he asked if he could get a recorded copy of the document. We will get something sent out to the landowners.
Tree Removal
A resident got estimates of $1300 for the removal of 3 trees from their property. They are asking us to cost share on 2 of the trees that are in the boulevard. He indicated that most cities are responsible for trees on the boulevard. Typically, the homeowner owns from their property to the centerline of the road. The city owns the road as an easement. If we do this cost share then we need to do it for all property owners. It was noted there are approximately 14 trees on city property. We may have to budget this expense as this will be a costly expense to get rid of all of them at once to cut them down, grind the stumps and restore the property. We need to get at least 2 bids before we decide to do anything. We need to mark the trees that we want removed. Keith indicated that he will mark the trees. It was also noted that the tree company needs to work with Xcel regarding the power lines if it is necessary.
Parking on Divers Path
This area does not drain properly. We have money budgets in the street fund that we could use. If it us under $25,000 we do not need more bids. We need an estimate so we can move We will contact Jason Otte and get the property graded and widened it and put down gravel so more cars can park there.
Special Permit for Scott Kroll
Scott Kroll submitted a special permit for a classic car show at the football field parking lot on Saturday, August 15th, from 11 – 3 pm. He received permission from Mr. Kelley to hold the vent there. A motion to approve Scott Kroll’s special event permit for a classic car show on August 15th from 11 am to 3 pm was made by Jacob, seconded by Haro.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Randolph Hampton Fire Department
Chief Ophelt discussed the revised Bylaws. He just would like our approval. Motion to approve the new bylaws of the Hampton Randolph Fire Department was made by Ferguson, seconded by Jacob.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 3:0. Sande abstained from the vote.
He also noted that the air compressor was installed and is operational. Through May they are at 38% of their operating budget. They received a grant for a new extractor and dryer and it should be coming soon. The Chicken BBQ is coming up and asked if anyone is interested in serving chicken. There is a sign-up sheet if interested. He also asked about the bathroom remodel and asked if possible if we could install a small shower so that the fireman can shower before going home after emergency calls. He also noted that in the future he asked that when closing the road in front of the fire hall to please do so after the fire department driveway. They need to be able to get their truck out for emergencies. We will discuss this with Dakota County and also, we can put a stipulation on the special event permit to note this.
Septic Applications
Dakota County asked for approval for 3 properties for septic permits and need written permission from us to proceed. Two of them are for the new school houses and the other one is for a house someone was planning to build but was not approved. A motion to approve permission to approve with the septic permits for PID 323250202020 and PID 323250102040, seconded by Jacob.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Sewer Project
There is not much to report publicly. The city did send a notice to the contractor that we are considering declaring them in default of the contract. They have been paid for the work that has been done and for the materials on hand.
Council Member Reports
Randy indicated there is a watershed meeting next week and are going to Chub Lake to the Mount Olivet Retreat.
Dakota County did a two-day speed study on County Road 88 by the school. The speeds showed the average was 28. The goal is to get us a School Speed Zone and it takes the study to get this accomplished. It helps with having the SRO.
Marie noted that that signs that were laying down are gone. Can Dakota County put speed limit signs back up.
There are some lots that need mowing – Clerk Haro will send letters. Can we get the weeds mowed or taken down by the holding ponds.
Closed Session
We went into closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, Subd. 3(b) to discuss the city’s sanitary sewer project at 8:14 p.m.
Meeting was reopened at 8:32.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Jacob, seconded by Ferguson, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
All voting in favor, none opposed, motion passed 4:0.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Haro
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